I play euphonium in a pretty fair concert band out in Scottsdale. We performed a concert the other evening featuring the Finale from Dvorak's symphony "From the New World". in addition to a wonderful euphonium part (much of the cello stuff in the original), I was taped to introduce the number. Interesting bit of history behind it. My notes:
"Next, we have the Finale of Dvorak’s From the New World Symphony.
''Bohemian composer Antonin Dvorak was of a school of Eastern and Northern European composers who drew on themes and melodies of their ancestral cultures to inspire “serious” compositions, thus to create an authentic musical tradition for a nation.
"In 1892, Dvorak came to America to begin a 3-year stint running New York’s National Conservatory of Music. Sensing that an authentic and relevant American music must draw from America’s past, not from European traditions, Dvorak initially dove deep into American Indian music. Much in his American compositions derives from that source.
"He was introduced to Black music by one Harry Burleigh, a Black scholarship student working his way through the Institute doing handyman and cleaning chores. Story is that Dvorak heard Burleigh singing sorrow or plantation songs - spirituals - while mopping the school’s halls, and asked to hear more. Dvorak chose Burleigh as his assistant.
''Besides supplying both Black and Indian musical context, Burleigh is credited with copying out the instrumental parts for From The New World. In a storied career, in addition to much composing and performing, Burleigh was for over 50 years the baritone vocal soloist at New York’s St. George’s Episcopal. By arranging scores of spirituals as “art songs”, he saved them from oblivion.
''So – we give you the Finale of Dvorak’s From the New World – as inspired and transcribed by one-time janitor Harry Burleigh.''
Curious - I just retired from my janitorial firm; made it to just 50 years. Burleigh made it to 52.
